Never intended to belittle BCCI: Modi's lawyer

Suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi backtracked on his "khap panchayat" comment against the BCCI's Special General Meeting, saying his statement was misconstrued and neither he nor his client intended to "belittle" the Board.

Abdi said his comment, which was personal opinion, was misconstrued by the media and his client has nothing to do with it.

"My comment made yesterday, involving the use of the expression 'Khap Panchayat' had been misconstrued by a section of media. It was purely my own opinion and not a statement made by me on behalf of Mr Lalit Modi," he said in a statement.

"The expression 'Khap Panchayat' was not a reference to or used to describe, the BCCI or the Special General Meeting convened on July 3. Both myself and Mr Modi have the highest respect and regard for the BCCI and its General Body. It was never intended by me or Mr Modi to belittle the BCCI or its General Body," he said.

"I made the remark, in the passing, whilst commenting on the manner in which Mr N Srinivasan (BCCI secretary) had conducted himself," Abdi added.

Accusing the BCCI of sweeping under carpet all the allegations made by his client against Srinivasan, Abdi yesterday questioned the legality of the SGM, convened to decide Modi's fate.

"Now it is not a Lalit Modi and Srinivasan fight but evidence of the manner in which the country's premier sport body is being administered. Complaints making serious charges against the Secretary have been made yet these are being swept under the carpet," Abdi had said.

"Whereas, President BCCI has recused himself the Secretary BCCI, despite being in an utterly questionable position, is calling the shots. Best of luck to the Khap Panchayat of BCCI."